S. 4214 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 25, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryPauses AI data centers until new rules exist
This bill puts a pause on building or expanding data centers used for artificial intelligence until Congress passes new laws. Those laws would need to include federal safety reviews of AI products and rules ensuring that AI's economic benefits reach workers. After the pause lifts, additional requirements would kick in: data centers couldn't raise utility bills, would need community approval, had to create union jobs, and couldn't receive government funding.
How it affects you
If you work in tech or AI, this could delay new data center projects in your area. If you live near where a data center might be built, you'd gain a say in whether construction happens. The bill aims to protect workers and communities from potential downsides of rapid AI expansion, though it doesn't directly change anything in most people's daily lives unless they're in industries affected by these delays.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 25, 2026)
Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act
This bill prohibits building or upgrading artificial intelligence (AI) data centers until laws regulating AI and AI data centers are enacted. It also restricts the export of AI-related computing hardware to countries without similar laws in effect.
Specifically, no AI data center may be constructed or upgraded until laws are enacted (1) subjecting AI products to prerelease federal review and approval for safety and effectiveness, and (2) ensuring that AI-related economic gains benefit workers and the people of the United States (including by preventing AI-related job loss).
Further, with respect to AI data centers built or upgraded after the moratorium ends, these laws must ensure
• such centers do not increase consumers’ utility bills and do not harm the environment;
• affected communities are empowered to approve or reject construction or upgrades;
• such centers create union jobs subject to labor standards; and
• no government subsidy is provided for the construction, upgrade, or operation of such centers.
Under the bill, the term AI data center includes collocated structures and equipment under common ownership or control used for AI development or operation that meet certain power and design specifications.
Additionally, the Department of Commerce must prohibit the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of specified computing hardware for AI-related use to any country that does not have comparable laws or regulations in effect.
Finally, the Department of Energy must periodically report on AI data centers’ funding sources, energy and water use, and labor.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 4214
A BILL
Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act
Sponsor: Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) · Introduced Mar 25, 2026 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 25, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”